West Indies skipper Shai Hope expressed his disappointment after his team’s seven-wicket loss to Scotland in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, which ultimately resulted in their failure to qualify for the ODI World Cup for the first time. Hope admitted that his team had let themselves down in the tournament and emphasized the need for more consistent performances from the talented squad.
The defeat against Scotland came as a major upset for the West Indies, as they are former two-time World Champions. The loss not only marked a new low for the cricket giants but also dashed their hopes of securing a spot in the upcoming ODI World Cup, scheduled to be held in India later this year.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Hope highlighted the team’s struggle to counter the early movement in their innings and the need for better preparation. He acknowledged the importance of attitude in the game, stating that the West Indies did not always give 100% effort, especially in terms of fielding. Hope emphasized the importance of consistent performances and called on the team to translate their talent into more reliable results.
The West Indies captain stressed the need for a solid foundation and improved preparation back home. He recognized that becoming an elite team requires consistent effort and cannot be achieved overnight. Hope expressed a desire to give the West Indian fans something to cheer about and vowed to find a way for the team to bounce back. He also praised Scotland for their disciplined bowling performance and acknowledged the lessons that could be learned from them.
The loss to Scotland meant that West Indies could only finish the Super Six stage of the tournament with a maximum of four points. After being asked to bat first, the West Indies struggled and were bundled out for 181 runs in 43.5 overs. Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd provided some lower-order resistance, but their efforts were not enough to push the team to a competitive total. Scotland’s Brandon McMullen stood out with the ball, taking three wickets for 32 runs.
Chasing the target of 182, Scotland lost an early wicket but recovered impressively with a 125-run partnership between Matthew Cross and Brandon McMullen. McMullen’s knock of 69 runs and Cross’s unbeaten 74 guided Scotland to victory in the 44th over. Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, and Akeal Hosein managed to pick up one wicket each for the West Indies.
Brandon McMullen was named the Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
